Chapter two
The Vanishing Lady
Inside of the portal there was no sound of any kind. It was as if the entire world had hushed to watch and see what was going to happen. Lights and colors flashed before Crono's eyes causing him to gasp at the intensity of them. They were blinding to the eye. He watched unable to move as the world changed before his eyes. He saw majestic trees reverting back to mere seedlings, buildings returning to empty spaces and stones. He couldn't believe it; this was a portal trough time itself.
"This is impossible! It's impossible to travel trough time!" But in his mind he had to accept facts, Marle and himself were going back in time.
As if on cue to his thoughts the world froze in place and he was flung to the ground. Flipping to his back he was able to watch the portal close, stranding him wherever or whenever this was. "Wonderful. I guess I should go look for Marle. Lucca said she would follow, and she never jumps into something without a way to get back out again. She'll know how to return."
He heard a slight rustling in the bushes nearby and froze. The rustle wasn't just from the ones in front of him, but from all directions. Then with a war cry three small blue imps jumped out at him. They were silly looking creatures with stubby legs and heads that were proportionally too big for their tiny bodies. They stood about three feet tall, and came in green field imps and blue mountain imps. But these imps were different from the ones he was used to. He hadn't seen them very often, except when Melchior hired him to help transport his wares from Medina village on the eastern continent to Truce. The mystics who lived there were usually nice to him with the occasional exception of the ones who ran the shops, for some reason they held a grudge against all humans no matter who they were. These imps had the look of murder in their eyes. The one closest to him withdrew a dagger from its belt and edged toward him.
"Surrender human! You have just entered our territory!"
"Love to guys, but I have more important things to worry about." Crono was now very thankful that he had gotten that sword from Melchior earlier; it looks as if he would be needing it.
"Stupid human, you will die now!" The remaining two imps pulled out their daggers and leapt at Crono. He easily dodged the first two, but the third one caught him in the arm with his blade and drew blood. As if the sight of blood excited them, they started to whoop and holler various war cries.
"Great! Not only are they ugly, they're loud too."
"You'll wish you were dead when we're finished with you."
"That's funny I thought you wanted to kill me." All he got was a glare from them as the talkative one jumped for his throat. "Oh no you don't!" Crono swung his blade in a wide arc in front of the imp in an effort to scare off the beast. But the imp's momentum was too much and it carried it into the path of the blade, cutting him cleanly in two. "Yuck!" Crono spouted as blood sprayed onto his face. The remaining two imps froze in their tracks at the sight of their leader's mangled corpse. One of them decided to avenge his death and jumped at Crono as well. Crono tried the same maneuver, but this imp dodged around the blade and wound up facing Crono's back. As he was turning around to face it, it leapt onto his back and plunged the dagger up to the hilt in his shoulder. "AAAAHHHHHH!!! Little freak!" Crono reached around behind him, grabbing the imp by the throat, tossed it in front of him and quickly decapitated the beast.
"You will pay for this human! We will not forget this!" The final imp spouted as it fled to the underbrush of the canyon.
Taking a breather He reached up and pulled the dagger from his shoulder. Blood began to gush from the open wound, and he began to think that maybe he should have left the dagger in. Sure it hurt like hell but at least he hadn't been bleeding before. Clamping his hand over the wound he headed out of the small clearing. Shortly he came across a small stream running between two very steep cliffs. Across this gap he could see a path that led down to the floor of the canyon and out into the valley. A short distance up the path he was on he found a wooden bridge that spanned the gap, considering where it was located it was in remarkable good condition.
Crono crossed the bridge and followed the path out of the canyon, once or twice he had to hide to avoid another encounter with some angry looking mystics. The way he was bleeding he would never have survived another scuffle. Emerging from the canyon he surveyed his surroundings. It looked like Truce village but at the same time it didn't. The village was smaller than it should have been and the buildings seemed so old fashioned. Where most of the houses he was used to were wood these were mostly stone. He walked south toward his home only to find out it wasn't there, only an open field met his eye. Lucca's house was also missing as well as many of his neighbors homes. "This is too much. I have to find out where I am. I guess it wouldn't be where but when. Huh. This is starting to give me a headache.
One place you could always get information, no matter what time you were in was an inn. Turning back toward town Crono began to walk again, but not without great effort. The wound on hi shoulder still hadn't stopped bleeding, and he was having trouble staying conscious. His limbs felt like lead as he walked down the dirt road to the inn, he had given up trying to keep pressure on the wound, because every time he moved the wound would bleed anyway. Just outside he tripped and fell in dust. It stuck to him as he stood, he didn't even bother to brush it off, he was too tired now. He needed a bath and a nice long nap, and perhaps some food and water. Opening the door of the inn he stumbled inside only to be stared at by the entire establishment. "Excuse me? Can someone help me with a small problem?"
A servant girl ran up to him. "Oh my goodness. Sir are you okay?"
From the back he heard another person speaking. "What's happening out there Maria?" She began speaking again but Crono couldn't hear her, his eyes had already glazed over and he collapsed to the floor unconscious.
He woke a few hours later to the sight of an unfamiliar room and four strangers. His wound was clean and dressed, but it still throbbed with a regular rhythm.
"Doctor, what happened to him?" One of the strangers asked. This man was tall with broad shoulders. He wore a dirty brown tunic and tan pants, also filthy.
"From the shape and type of his wound, I would say he was stabbed by an imp's dagger."
"Not another one. How many more before it's all over?" The man sighed and turned to Crono. "You are a very lucky young man. Not many people can say they survived an attack by imps."
Crono snorted a laugh. "I think they came off worse than I did."
"No kidding? Are you a swordsman?"
The doctor interrupted before Crono could respond. "Now stop that. This boy has been through a lot, he needs his rest."
Slowly Crono eased himself out of the bed, feeling a little dizzy at first, but then righting himself. "Man, losing blood really takes it out of you." The doctor ran to his side and attempted to push him back into bed. "No offense doc. But I can't stay. I have someone I need to find. I appreciate your help." Then he pushed his way past the people and went down the stairs to the main floor.
Back at the bar Crono asked a man standing next to the bar what the date was. The man glared at him like he was a lunatic. "Boy those imps must have messed you up good. It's June 27, 600 A.D. Now watch your back kid, or your gonna find yourself six feet under."
600 A.D.? Impossible! That would mean I was thrown back four hundred years in the past. That thing was a time portal. That would explain why those imps attacked me. This is the era when the humans and mystics were at war with each other. Crono grew silent and sat down at the bar to think this out.
"Hey buddy did you hear?" The man sitting next to him asked.
"Huh?"
"The queen's been kidnapped."
The man next to him also piped up. "Yeah she was. But they found her wandering around Truce canyon earlier."
Crono nearly fell from his stool at this information. Truce canyon was where he ended up. It would only be logical that Marle ended up there too. "What does the queen look like? I've never seen her."
"You haven't? Oh, she is a vision. She has long golden locks and the sweetest voice. Her cerulean eyes are like gems. She is so kind and beautiful too." The man was beginning to ramble on about her beauty but Crono wasn't listening anymore.
It is her! Marle is here! "Thanks pal. I have to go now."
"Yeah, sure." The man mumbled staring into his cider.
As he was nearing the exit a young man walked in. Upon seeing Crono he waved and spoke. "Hey pal. I got some information for ya. You buying?" Crono could tell already what he was implying and tossed a couple of coins on the bar. "Ale please!" He yelled at the top of his lungs to the bartender, who sneered at him but brought his ale anyways, promptly tossing the coins in his pocket. The man then turned back to Crono. "Name's Toma. I'm a traveling adventurer. Did you know that the queen was kidnapped when she went to the cathedral to pray? And she.."
"But the queen has already been found." Crono blurted out before he thought.
"What? She's been found already? Never mind then. Sorry to bother you." Shrugging Crono turned to leave. "Hey boy! What's your name? In case we ever meet again."
"Crono."
"Nice to meet ya. If you're going out, watch out for those mystics."
"Thanks. I will." Crono waved goodbye as the door closed, then turned toward the castle. Marle must be at the castle. His thoughts were going in fast forward as he approached the woods that surrounded the castle. At least something is still the same in this time.
The woods were dark and unusually quiet. A forest was always full of chattering critters and chirping birds, but this one was like a crypt. No movement, no sound, nothing. Only the crunching of the leaves under his feet could be heard, like the forest was holding its breath.
Crono's unease was calmed shortly after with the sight of Guardia castle coming into view above the trees. His pace increased until he was in a dead run, and the trees were a blurr to his eyes. A strange sound from the brush caught his attention just long enough to cause him to fall face down on the castle steps.
"Ouch! Damn! Crono you have to stop letting things distract you! Remember the imps." After chastising himself for his foolishness he stood and walked up the stairs and into the main receiving area of the castle.
Inside the castle was very impressive. The high ceiling was at least a hundred feet above his head. The windows were stained glass depicting various holy saints and devils being cleansed by the sacred light. The floor was covered with several handsome rugs. To both his left and his right were hallways which went for about thirty feet before turning out of his view. In front of him was a tall staircase which ended at a small landing and a set of huge double doors. At their base stood two guards in old style armor who were looking at him with suspicion.
"Who are you kid?" The one on the left growled. "Whoa check out the hair."
Then the guard on the right spoke up. "Yeah! Hey kid are you one of Magus' troops?"
"Nah. He'd never make the cut." Both guards were laughing now.
"Show us your stamp collection kid." They were laughing hysterically now.
"Now get out of here!"
As they approached Crono to throw him out a voice bellowed from the top of the stairs. "STOP THIS AT ONCE!" In a heartbeat they were turned around and kneeling before a beautiful woman. Crono could tell instantly that this was Queen Leene. "This is a friend of mine, show him your respect."
"B-but your highness, there's something odd about him."
"You refuse to obey my orders?"
The guard began to sweat now. "No your highness. Forgive me." He turned in Crono's direction. "You may enter sir."
"Yeah.thanks." Crono mumbled under his breath. Then he heard the strangest sound. He head the queen giggle like Marle did back home. Before he had a chance to look her in the eye she turned and left through the large doors. "I don't believe it. That was Marle."
The guards got the most peculiar look on their faces, then the one on is right spoke up. "Excuse me sir. That was the Queen Leene ruler of Guardia, not this Marle you speak of."
"Well she looks like Marle." He then ascended the stairs and entered the double doors.
The throne room was also extravagant in the way of decoration, with the windows and rugs like the previous room. There were two stairwells at the back of the room, each going up to the next floor. What stood out in this room was the pair of thrones situated in the back against the wall between the stairs. The king of Guardia sat upon the left throne. He was a stunning sight; he was muscular and had the look of confidence in his eyes. The way he carried himself would have proven his rank even if he were in commoners clothing. His hair was brown as were his eyes. He also carried the look of worry and the air of confusion with him.
Crono knelt before the king to prove his loyalty. "Your majesty."
"You may rise young man." So he did. "So you are the one who saved my dear wife? Did you notice anything strange about her?" His voice was hollow as if he wasn't even paying attention to his own words. "She's been acting odd lately. She even lost her coral pin; she guarded that with her life." During this exchange the Chancellor to his left, who was a wirery looking fellow left the room. In Crono's mind he seemed to be in an awful hurry. "Leene wishes to see you upstairs, go now, don't keep her waiting." Crono bowed to the king and walked to the right stairwell and headed up.
The queen's room was at the top floor of the castle. The stairs opened up to another hallway, this hall after going about twenty feet turned right and continued down another fifty feet to stop at another set of double doors. Just like the rest of the castle this hall was also extravagantly decorated. Crono walked down the hall to the doors, where he knocked on them.
"Enter." Came a female's voice from inside.
He entered the room, and inside stood the queen. She was radiant in her flowing green dress, and her hair up. She was standing at the window of her room staring out across the forest. Her room consisted of a large bed, a desk with a chair, and an amour that held her clothing. There were also two young nurses in the room with the queen, and they did not like his intrusion, and were not trying to hide that fact.
The queen turned to these ladies now. "Leave us; I need to talk to this individual."
"Yes your majesty." The two women left the room, but not without giving Crono disgusted glares.
The queen turned back to him. "Come closer sir."
"Yes your highness." He walked up and stood next to her. Then she giggled.
"Ha, ha, ha. Fooled you didn't I? You don't recognize me do you?" Crono wrinkled his brow as he looked at her, then his eyes widened. "Yup, it's me Marle, but everyone calls me Leene."
"That look does suit you." Crono was smiling now. "It really does."
"Oh stop it. You know we haven't known each other very long, but somehow I knew you would come for me."
"Look Marle, you don't have to worry, I'll take you home."
Marle's face suddenly went white as a sheet and her smile faded. "Crono, something is wrong."
"What is it?"
"I don't know." She gripped her stomach. "It suddenly feels as if my insides are being torn apart." There was an ethereal glow surrounding Marle's body. It continued to intensify until it was a blinding radiance. Throwing her hands to her temples Marle screeched. "CRONO! It hurts, please help me!" There was a bright flash, then all was quiet. The light had ceased, but where Marle should have been there was only an empty space.
"Marle? Where are you? Marle!?" He stood perfectly still in the queen's room for some time, trying to figure out what had just occurred. "Damn, I'm no good at this. I could really use Lucca's help on this one, I wish she were here." Crono left the empty room and walked back toward the staircase, just to be stopped by one of the maids.
"She dismissed you already? You didn't try anything funny did you?"
"Of course not!" He called as he walked down the steps.
END OF PART 2
The Vanishing Lady
Inside of the portal there was no sound of any kind. It was as if the entire world had hushed to watch and see what was going to happen. Lights and colors flashed before Crono's eyes causing him to gasp at the intensity of them. They were blinding to the eye. He watched unable to move as the world changed before his eyes. He saw majestic trees reverting back to mere seedlings, buildings returning to empty spaces and stones. He couldn't believe it; this was a portal trough time itself.
"This is impossible! It's impossible to travel trough time!" But in his mind he had to accept facts, Marle and himself were going back in time.
As if on cue to his thoughts the world froze in place and he was flung to the ground. Flipping to his back he was able to watch the portal close, stranding him wherever or whenever this was. "Wonderful. I guess I should go look for Marle. Lucca said she would follow, and she never jumps into something without a way to get back out again. She'll know how to return."
He heard a slight rustling in the bushes nearby and froze. The rustle wasn't just from the ones in front of him, but from all directions. Then with a war cry three small blue imps jumped out at him. They were silly looking creatures with stubby legs and heads that were proportionally too big for their tiny bodies. They stood about three feet tall, and came in green field imps and blue mountain imps. But these imps were different from the ones he was used to. He hadn't seen them very often, except when Melchior hired him to help transport his wares from Medina village on the eastern continent to Truce. The mystics who lived there were usually nice to him with the occasional exception of the ones who ran the shops, for some reason they held a grudge against all humans no matter who they were. These imps had the look of murder in their eyes. The one closest to him withdrew a dagger from its belt and edged toward him.
"Surrender human! You have just entered our territory!"
"Love to guys, but I have more important things to worry about." Crono was now very thankful that he had gotten that sword from Melchior earlier; it looks as if he would be needing it.
"Stupid human, you will die now!" The remaining two imps pulled out their daggers and leapt at Crono. He easily dodged the first two, but the third one caught him in the arm with his blade and drew blood. As if the sight of blood excited them, they started to whoop and holler various war cries.
"Great! Not only are they ugly, they're loud too."
"You'll wish you were dead when we're finished with you."
"That's funny I thought you wanted to kill me." All he got was a glare from them as the talkative one jumped for his throat. "Oh no you don't!" Crono swung his blade in a wide arc in front of the imp in an effort to scare off the beast. But the imp's momentum was too much and it carried it into the path of the blade, cutting him cleanly in two. "Yuck!" Crono spouted as blood sprayed onto his face. The remaining two imps froze in their tracks at the sight of their leader's mangled corpse. One of them decided to avenge his death and jumped at Crono as well. Crono tried the same maneuver, but this imp dodged around the blade and wound up facing Crono's back. As he was turning around to face it, it leapt onto his back and plunged the dagger up to the hilt in his shoulder. "AAAAHHHHHH!!! Little freak!" Crono reached around behind him, grabbing the imp by the throat, tossed it in front of him and quickly decapitated the beast.
"You will pay for this human! We will not forget this!" The final imp spouted as it fled to the underbrush of the canyon.
Taking a breather He reached up and pulled the dagger from his shoulder. Blood began to gush from the open wound, and he began to think that maybe he should have left the dagger in. Sure it hurt like hell but at least he hadn't been bleeding before. Clamping his hand over the wound he headed out of the small clearing. Shortly he came across a small stream running between two very steep cliffs. Across this gap he could see a path that led down to the floor of the canyon and out into the valley. A short distance up the path he was on he found a wooden bridge that spanned the gap, considering where it was located it was in remarkable good condition.
Crono crossed the bridge and followed the path out of the canyon, once or twice he had to hide to avoid another encounter with some angry looking mystics. The way he was bleeding he would never have survived another scuffle. Emerging from the canyon he surveyed his surroundings. It looked like Truce village but at the same time it didn't. The village was smaller than it should have been and the buildings seemed so old fashioned. Where most of the houses he was used to were wood these were mostly stone. He walked south toward his home only to find out it wasn't there, only an open field met his eye. Lucca's house was also missing as well as many of his neighbors homes. "This is too much. I have to find out where I am. I guess it wouldn't be where but when. Huh. This is starting to give me a headache.
One place you could always get information, no matter what time you were in was an inn. Turning back toward town Crono began to walk again, but not without great effort. The wound on hi shoulder still hadn't stopped bleeding, and he was having trouble staying conscious. His limbs felt like lead as he walked down the dirt road to the inn, he had given up trying to keep pressure on the wound, because every time he moved the wound would bleed anyway. Just outside he tripped and fell in dust. It stuck to him as he stood, he didn't even bother to brush it off, he was too tired now. He needed a bath and a nice long nap, and perhaps some food and water. Opening the door of the inn he stumbled inside only to be stared at by the entire establishment. "Excuse me? Can someone help me with a small problem?"
A servant girl ran up to him. "Oh my goodness. Sir are you okay?"
From the back he heard another person speaking. "What's happening out there Maria?" She began speaking again but Crono couldn't hear her, his eyes had already glazed over and he collapsed to the floor unconscious.
He woke a few hours later to the sight of an unfamiliar room and four strangers. His wound was clean and dressed, but it still throbbed with a regular rhythm.
"Doctor, what happened to him?" One of the strangers asked. This man was tall with broad shoulders. He wore a dirty brown tunic and tan pants, also filthy.
"From the shape and type of his wound, I would say he was stabbed by an imp's dagger."
"Not another one. How many more before it's all over?" The man sighed and turned to Crono. "You are a very lucky young man. Not many people can say they survived an attack by imps."
Crono snorted a laugh. "I think they came off worse than I did."
"No kidding? Are you a swordsman?"
The doctor interrupted before Crono could respond. "Now stop that. This boy has been through a lot, he needs his rest."
Slowly Crono eased himself out of the bed, feeling a little dizzy at first, but then righting himself. "Man, losing blood really takes it out of you." The doctor ran to his side and attempted to push him back into bed. "No offense doc. But I can't stay. I have someone I need to find. I appreciate your help." Then he pushed his way past the people and went down the stairs to the main floor.
Back at the bar Crono asked a man standing next to the bar what the date was. The man glared at him like he was a lunatic. "Boy those imps must have messed you up good. It's June 27, 600 A.D. Now watch your back kid, or your gonna find yourself six feet under."
600 A.D.? Impossible! That would mean I was thrown back four hundred years in the past. That thing was a time portal. That would explain why those imps attacked me. This is the era when the humans and mystics were at war with each other. Crono grew silent and sat down at the bar to think this out.
"Hey buddy did you hear?" The man sitting next to him asked.
"Huh?"
"The queen's been kidnapped."
The man next to him also piped up. "Yeah she was. But they found her wandering around Truce canyon earlier."
Crono nearly fell from his stool at this information. Truce canyon was where he ended up. It would only be logical that Marle ended up there too. "What does the queen look like? I've never seen her."
"You haven't? Oh, she is a vision. She has long golden locks and the sweetest voice. Her cerulean eyes are like gems. She is so kind and beautiful too." The man was beginning to ramble on about her beauty but Crono wasn't listening anymore.
It is her! Marle is here! "Thanks pal. I have to go now."
"Yeah, sure." The man mumbled staring into his cider.
As he was nearing the exit a young man walked in. Upon seeing Crono he waved and spoke. "Hey pal. I got some information for ya. You buying?" Crono could tell already what he was implying and tossed a couple of coins on the bar. "Ale please!" He yelled at the top of his lungs to the bartender, who sneered at him but brought his ale anyways, promptly tossing the coins in his pocket. The man then turned back to Crono. "Name's Toma. I'm a traveling adventurer. Did you know that the queen was kidnapped when she went to the cathedral to pray? And she.."
"But the queen has already been found." Crono blurted out before he thought.
"What? She's been found already? Never mind then. Sorry to bother you." Shrugging Crono turned to leave. "Hey boy! What's your name? In case we ever meet again."
"Crono."
"Nice to meet ya. If you're going out, watch out for those mystics."
"Thanks. I will." Crono waved goodbye as the door closed, then turned toward the castle. Marle must be at the castle. His thoughts were going in fast forward as he approached the woods that surrounded the castle. At least something is still the same in this time.
The woods were dark and unusually quiet. A forest was always full of chattering critters and chirping birds, but this one was like a crypt. No movement, no sound, nothing. Only the crunching of the leaves under his feet could be heard, like the forest was holding its breath.
Crono's unease was calmed shortly after with the sight of Guardia castle coming into view above the trees. His pace increased until he was in a dead run, and the trees were a blurr to his eyes. A strange sound from the brush caught his attention just long enough to cause him to fall face down on the castle steps.
"Ouch! Damn! Crono you have to stop letting things distract you! Remember the imps." After chastising himself for his foolishness he stood and walked up the stairs and into the main receiving area of the castle.
Inside the castle was very impressive. The high ceiling was at least a hundred feet above his head. The windows were stained glass depicting various holy saints and devils being cleansed by the sacred light. The floor was covered with several handsome rugs. To both his left and his right were hallways which went for about thirty feet before turning out of his view. In front of him was a tall staircase which ended at a small landing and a set of huge double doors. At their base stood two guards in old style armor who were looking at him with suspicion.
"Who are you kid?" The one on the left growled. "Whoa check out the hair."
Then the guard on the right spoke up. "Yeah! Hey kid are you one of Magus' troops?"
"Nah. He'd never make the cut." Both guards were laughing now.
"Show us your stamp collection kid." They were laughing hysterically now.
"Now get out of here!"
As they approached Crono to throw him out a voice bellowed from the top of the stairs. "STOP THIS AT ONCE!" In a heartbeat they were turned around and kneeling before a beautiful woman. Crono could tell instantly that this was Queen Leene. "This is a friend of mine, show him your respect."
"B-but your highness, there's something odd about him."
"You refuse to obey my orders?"
The guard began to sweat now. "No your highness. Forgive me." He turned in Crono's direction. "You may enter sir."
"Yeah.thanks." Crono mumbled under his breath. Then he heard the strangest sound. He head the queen giggle like Marle did back home. Before he had a chance to look her in the eye she turned and left through the large doors. "I don't believe it. That was Marle."
The guards got the most peculiar look on their faces, then the one on is right spoke up. "Excuse me sir. That was the Queen Leene ruler of Guardia, not this Marle you speak of."
"Well she looks like Marle." He then ascended the stairs and entered the double doors.
The throne room was also extravagant in the way of decoration, with the windows and rugs like the previous room. There were two stairwells at the back of the room, each going up to the next floor. What stood out in this room was the pair of thrones situated in the back against the wall between the stairs. The king of Guardia sat upon the left throne. He was a stunning sight; he was muscular and had the look of confidence in his eyes. The way he carried himself would have proven his rank even if he were in commoners clothing. His hair was brown as were his eyes. He also carried the look of worry and the air of confusion with him.
Crono knelt before the king to prove his loyalty. "Your majesty."
"You may rise young man." So he did. "So you are the one who saved my dear wife? Did you notice anything strange about her?" His voice was hollow as if he wasn't even paying attention to his own words. "She's been acting odd lately. She even lost her coral pin; she guarded that with her life." During this exchange the Chancellor to his left, who was a wirery looking fellow left the room. In Crono's mind he seemed to be in an awful hurry. "Leene wishes to see you upstairs, go now, don't keep her waiting." Crono bowed to the king and walked to the right stairwell and headed up.
The queen's room was at the top floor of the castle. The stairs opened up to another hallway, this hall after going about twenty feet turned right and continued down another fifty feet to stop at another set of double doors. Just like the rest of the castle this hall was also extravagantly decorated. Crono walked down the hall to the doors, where he knocked on them.
"Enter." Came a female's voice from inside.
He entered the room, and inside stood the queen. She was radiant in her flowing green dress, and her hair up. She was standing at the window of her room staring out across the forest. Her room consisted of a large bed, a desk with a chair, and an amour that held her clothing. There were also two young nurses in the room with the queen, and they did not like his intrusion, and were not trying to hide that fact.
The queen turned to these ladies now. "Leave us; I need to talk to this individual."
"Yes your majesty." The two women left the room, but not without giving Crono disgusted glares.
The queen turned back to him. "Come closer sir."
"Yes your highness." He walked up and stood next to her. Then she giggled.
"Ha, ha, ha. Fooled you didn't I? You don't recognize me do you?" Crono wrinkled his brow as he looked at her, then his eyes widened. "Yup, it's me Marle, but everyone calls me Leene."
"That look does suit you." Crono was smiling now. "It really does."
"Oh stop it. You know we haven't known each other very long, but somehow I knew you would come for me."
"Look Marle, you don't have to worry, I'll take you home."
Marle's face suddenly went white as a sheet and her smile faded. "Crono, something is wrong."
"What is it?"
"I don't know." She gripped her stomach. "It suddenly feels as if my insides are being torn apart." There was an ethereal glow surrounding Marle's body. It continued to intensify until it was a blinding radiance. Throwing her hands to her temples Marle screeched. "CRONO! It hurts, please help me!" There was a bright flash, then all was quiet. The light had ceased, but where Marle should have been there was only an empty space.
"Marle? Where are you? Marle!?" He stood perfectly still in the queen's room for some time, trying to figure out what had just occurred. "Damn, I'm no good at this. I could really use Lucca's help on this one, I wish she were here." Crono left the empty room and walked back toward the staircase, just to be stopped by one of the maids.
"She dismissed you already? You didn't try anything funny did you?"
"Of course not!" He called as he walked down the steps.
END OF PART 2